Systems and devices for delivering volatile materials

Abstract

A non-energized volatile material delivery system for emitting or releasing volatile materials to the atmosphere is provided. More specifically, delivery systems for delivering one or more volatile materials using a non-aerosol, non-energized volatile material delivery system via an evaporative surface device, without a source of heat, gas, or electrical current, are also provided.

1 . A non-energized volatile material delivery system comprising at least one volatile material, wherein said delivery system provides a continuous maintenance level emission of at least one volatile material and a temporary boost level emission of at least one volatile material, wherein said delivery system is free of a source of heat, gas, or electrical current, and wherein said at least one volatile material is not mechanically delivered by an aerosol.  
   
   
       2 . A delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one volatile material is provided from a single source.  
   
   
       3 . A delivery system according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one evaporative surface device having at least some longitudinal exposure, said evaporative surface device being fluidly connected to at least some of said volatile material.  
   
   
       4 . A delivery system according to  claim 3 , wherein said maintenance level emission exhibits a substantially uniform intensity until the volatile material is exhausted.  
   
   
       5 . A delivery system according to  claim 1 , wherein human interaction is required to deliver said boost level emission.  
   
   
       6 . A delivery system according to  claim 5 , wherein when said boost level emission ends, said delivery system automatically returns to delivering said maintenance level emission without further human interaction.  
   
   
       7 . A delivery system according to  claim 3  wherein said evaporative surface device is dosed by the consumer using one or more of the following means: inversion, pumping, or spring-action.  
   
   
       8 . A delivery system according to  claim 7 , further comprising one or more secondary evaporative surface devices that act to enhance the boost level emission intensity.  
   
   
       9 . A delivery system according to  claim 1 , wherein said boost level emission exhibits an intensity greater than or equal to said maintenance level emission intensity.  
   
   
       10 . A delivery system according to  claim 3 , wherein the flow of said volatile material to said evaporative surface device is reversed by initiation of said boost level emission mode in order to provide one or more of the following benefits: 
 a) at least some reduction in the fractionation of at least one volatile material on said evaporative surface device;    b) at least a partial unclogging of the evaporative surface device;    c) at least some character or fidelity emission enhancement using a single-phase or multi-phase volatile material;    d) at least some reduction in consumer habituation;    e) at least some interactive consumer scent experience; or    f) at least some aesthetically pleasing consumer visual experience.    
   
   
       11 . A delivery system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one volatile material comprises one or more of the following: fragrances, air fresheners, deodorizers, odor eliminators, malodor counteractants, insecticides, insect repellants, medicinal substances, disinfectants, sanitizers, mood enhancers, and aroma therapy compositions.  
   
   
       12 . A non-energized volatile material delivery system comprising at least one volatile material, wherein said delivery system provides a continuous maintenance level emission of at least one volatile material and a temporary boost level emission of at least one volatile material, wherein said boost level emission is delivered by one or more of the following means: inversion, pumping, or spring-action; wherein said delivery system comprises: 
 a) at least one container comprising at least one fluid reservoir;    b) at least one evaporative surface device opening located in said at least one container having at least some longitudinal exposure;    c) at least one evaporative surface device which is at least partially located in said at least one evaporative surface device opening and in said at least one fluid reservoir; wherein said at least one evaporative surface device is fluidly connected to said volatile material;    d) optionally at least one by-pass tube; and    a) optionally one or more secondary evaporative surface devices;    wherein said delivery system is free of a source of heat, gas, or electrical current, and wherein said at least one volatile material is not mechanically delivered by an aerosol.    
   
   
       13 . A delivery system according to  claim 12 , wherein said container and/or fluid reservoir comprises a unit dose chamber fluidly connected to said evaporative surface device, wherein when said unit dose chamber is at least partially filled with at least some of said volatile material, said unit dose chamber provides a controlled volume of said volatile material to said evaporative surface device.  
   
   
       14 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  further comprising a by-pass tube comprising at least one by-pass tube opening connected to said fluid reservoir for collection of at least some of said excess volatile material not delivered to said evaporative surface device, wherein said fluid reservoir comprises a single evaporative surface device opening within which said by-pass tube and said evaporative surface device pass or terminate, wherein said by-pass tube is in fluid communication with at least some of said excess volatile material not contained in one or more of the following: said fluid reservoir, said unit dose chamber or said evaporative surface device.  
   
   
       15 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  further comprising one or more secondary evaporative surface devices located at least partially in said one or more fluid reservoir but not immersed in said volatile material, wherein said or more secondary evaporative surface device is in fluid communication with said evaporative surface device.  
   
   
       16 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  wherein said system further comprises a ballast to reduce overturning of said delivery system by lowering the center of gravity of said delivery system.  
   
   
       17 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  further comprising a pump.  
   
   
       18 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  further comprising a spring-action device comprising an evaporative surface device, a spring, a spring retention device, optionally a dampening device, and means to activate said spring.  
   
   
       19 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  wherein said container further comprises an external frame disposed at least partially around said container, and at least indirectly joined to said container.  
   
   
       20 . A delivery system according to  claim 12  wherein said container further comprises a closeable vent opening.